Pull a trailer with bike
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,768
Likes: 22,990
From: North Carolina
Sorry to hear about this accident that took a fellow riders life.
I don’t have a need for a trailer. We have learned to pack just what is needed for up to 9 days now so far. But I know several people with them that love them and have not had any issues.
One thing that has always concerned me is that people think they can ride jus as fast towing a trailer as not.
Load balance, tongue weight, overall weight, less braking power, additional tires and wheel bearings. Lots of things that can go wrong.
One of our RT guys on a Goldwing had a flat on his trailer coming back from DC this year. Got it changed and in less than 5 miles the bearing on that wheel failed. Had to leave it at a gas station and go back for it with his truck.
I don’t have a need for a trailer. We have learned to pack just what is needed for up to 9 days now so far. But I know several people with them that love them and have not had any issues.
One thing that has always concerned me is that people think they can ride jus as fast towing a trailer as not.
Load balance, tongue weight, overall weight, less braking power, additional tires and wheel bearings. Lots of things that can go wrong.
One of our RT guys on a Goldwing had a flat on his trailer coming back from DC this year. Got it changed and in less than 5 miles the bearing on that wheel failed. Had to leave it at a gas station and go back for it with his truck.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 142
From: Sioux Center, Iowa
We have well over 100K on our Aluma and it has never caused us any handling problems. As far as loading, we just throw and go. I have never checked weight distribution and have never had the trailer sway. I stand corrected. I did have one trip when I looked in the mirror, I could see a slight sway in the trailer which was not normal. I pulled over thinking one of the trailer tires was low. Turns out it was the rear tire on the bike that was going flat. Never felt it on the bike but seeing the trailer sway got me to stop.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,984
Likes: 5,221
From: Michigan
I've owned and pulled trailer(s) since '93 and I have never had a negative incident.
Keeping new (or good) tires properly inflated and wheel bearings well greased, in addition to the proper loading of the trailer will greatly reduce the possibilities of problems.
Pulling a trailer with any vehicle requires more attention to what you are doing and remembering to make wide turns and increasing the distance between you and other vehicles.
I pulled my trailers across many states including AK, as well as through many mountain ranges and across Death Valley, incident free.
I've personally never seen a bike accident being directly related to pulling a trailer but I did witness a couple on I-80 pulling a trailer with a metric touring bike pass me a nearly 80MPH and change lanes so quickly that their trailer was swaying from side-to-side.
I haven't used my trailer in a long time as y wife rides her own bike and the need for luggage space was reduced.
The other reason that I may sell it someday is "warranty related" issues as I'm sure most of y'all are aware.
Keeping new (or good) tires properly inflated and wheel bearings well greased, in addition to the proper loading of the trailer will greatly reduce the possibilities of problems.
Pulling a trailer with any vehicle requires more attention to what you are doing and remembering to make wide turns and increasing the distance between you and other vehicles.
I pulled my trailers across many states including AK, as well as through many mountain ranges and across Death Valley, incident free.
I've personally never seen a bike accident being directly related to pulling a trailer but I did witness a couple on I-80 pulling a trailer with a metric touring bike pass me a nearly 80MPH and change lanes so quickly that their trailer was swaying from side-to-side.
I haven't used my trailer in a long time as y wife rides her own bike and the need for luggage space was reduced.
The other reason that I may sell it someday is "warranty related" issues as I'm sure most of y'all are aware.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,021
Likes: 7,147
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Over the last few years I've learned a lot of the HD Forum, even after 45+ years of riding. So educate me -- many of you have emphasized that pulling a trailer is no problem, if its properly loaded. No one has said what "properly loaded" is. Why don't you use the opportunity to educate the rest of us. Not being a smart ***, just encouraging you to share your knowledge.
Helpful tip~ Never tow an Ultra with a Sportster, and go over 55mph...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,900
Likes: 4,509
From: N.E. WA.
Well... I don't recommend doing this but in a pinch 
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Like others, I've put a ton of miles and many smiles with my little biker trailer tugging along behind me.
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No real idea what could have happened with the downed riders and I won't hazard an uneducated guess.
Ride In Peace
Like others, I've put a ton of miles and many smiles with my little biker trailer tugging along behind me.
No real idea what could have happened with the downed riders and I won't hazard an uneducated guess.
Ride In Peace
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,984
Likes: 5,221
From: Michigan
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 3,790
Likes: 3,770
From: Monticello, Florida
Yes, Harbor Freight. I've had this one for about 5 years now. Easily 30,000 miles on it. The day I got it I changed the grease in the bearings. The "vaseline" they put in them is crap. Clean and repack them yearly. All LED lights. I've had it loaded up to 500 lbs and pulled it empty, never had an issue. Unfortunately you can't buy them any longer, Harbor discontinued them. It is a great little trailer and fits my needs to a T.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 834
From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
I'll never pull either. Sure you can't feel it when pulling it, but you will never convince me it doesn't affect emergency stops.
I do have rack for both my Harleys that goes behind rear tire.
I do have rack for both my Harleys that goes behind rear tire.
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Joe Kucinski
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 3,790
Likes: 3,770
From: Monticello, Florida
Of course it affects stopping. You plan for it, keep your distance. It's not rocket science.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 834
From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
Deer runs out, traffic comes to stop, ect. There is a reason why it's called emergency stopping, and if you are honest with yourself it's not rocket surgery that it will have an effect.